Welcome to the latest edition of the 2025 On the Horizon newsletter from the Future Workforce Unit (FWU). On the Horizon provides a snapshot of the key trends and developments that have the potential to shape and impact our future workforce, workplace and ways of working.
On the Horizon is part of the Focus on the Future Workforce Initiative, which aims to support the health system to ensure a resilient and digitally enabled workforce that can adapt to the changes in the system caused by technology and other disruptions. By focusing on not just the now, but also the future, NSW Health can ensure that we meet the needs of the community now and into the future. |
Please note that the opinions shared in On the Horizon are those of the respective authors, and may not reflect the views of FWU or NSW Health. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the articles may contain images of people who have passed away. |
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| “A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller
Welcome to the first edition of On the Horizon for 2025 – a year already shaped by change. With the emergence of Generation Beta, shifting global politics, natural disasters, and local changes at NSW Health, we are navigating an era of transformation.
The disruptions of recent years – likely to continue – highlight the critical need for foresight and collective action. The Workforce Planning and Talent Development Branch is collaborating with key stakeholders to anticipate the unexpected and stay ahead of emerging challenges and opportunities. Watch for updates from the Future Workforce Unit on new insights regarding the megatrends shaping the health workforce. We invite you to join us on this journey.
This week on the Future Health Podcast, we’re joined by Margot Morton, Director of CareZen, to discuss the “Health Pod”. In emergency departments, the Health Pod can help divert non-critical cases, easing the burden on healthcare staff and reducing wait times. In the aftermath of disasters, they can offer mobile medical and counselling services to those in need, ensuring timely support without the need to divert workforce. And for vulnerable populations without access to personal devices or connectivity, they offer equitable access to specialist services for all. Could the Health Pod be a critical missing piece in the hybrid care model? New episodes of the Future Health Podcast will be released each fortnight from Wednesday 29 January. Join us as we speak to the change makers who are navigating uncertainty, leveraging emerging trends, and breaking new ground to enhance healthcare for all in Australia.
In this month’s edition of On the Horizon, we are exploring a range of trends, including future jobs and skills to 2030, how to become a rapid adaptor to change, and the role of AI in preventing devastating wildfires.
As you read through these trends, I encourage you to use the questions provided as a springboard for conversations with your peers to explore what these changes could mean for you in your local context. - Tamara Lee |
Director, Future Workforce |
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The future of jobs and skills to 2030 |
The Future of Jobs Report 2025, by the World Economic Forum, offers a comprehensive look at the forces that are shaping the global workforce through to 2030. So, what’s expected to change in the healthcare and medical sector and how can we stay ahead?
It may be no surprise that the digital transition, rising cost of living, and an ageing population are key drivers of transformation expected between 2025 and 2030. As organisations adapt to these changes, they cite challenges such as outdated regulatory frameworks, organisational culture, resistance to change, and skills gaps in the workforce, all of which are slowing down transformation efforts in the sector.
To address challenges, organisations are focusing on strategies like prioritising employee health and wellbeing, providing effective reskilling and upskilling opportunities, and offering competitive wages to boost talent availability and long-term workforce sustainability. Additionally, organisations are increasingly looking to tap into diverse talent pools and offering cross-border remote work to meet workforce needs.
Skills-wise, by 2030, healthcare workers can expect 39% of their skills to be transformed or outdated. According to the report, the top key skills for 2025, include resilience, flexibility, and agility, analytical thinking, systems thinking, empathy, and leadership. Meanwhile, the fastest-growing skills by 2030 will include AI and big data, technological literacy, cybersecurity, creative thinking, and resilience. Climate trends are also expected to increase the focus on environmental stewardship, which has now become one of the fastest-growing skills, according to the Future of Jobs Report.
How can we use these trends to inform workforce planning and talent strategies? How can we make sure our talent strategies align with the skills needed for tomorrow's health landscape? With the green transition gaining momentum, how can we ensure NSW Health talent is equipped with the sustainability skills required for the future? Read more on this trend: |
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How to become a rapid adaptor to change |
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Stay responsive to new information – ask questions and do research, especially if things don't go as expected.
- Be open to taking on new roles and responsibilities, including stretch goals that challenge you and expand your skill set.
- Commit to personal development by exploring training options.
- Work with your manager to shadow colleagues, demonstrating your willingness to embrace change.
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Focus on what you can control and limit stress over what you can’t.
- Take proactive steps where you can make an impact.
- Volunteer for new projects to collaborate with diverse teams and stay adaptable as changes arise.
- Suggest or implement improvements to work processes, showing initiative and flexibility.
- Stay informed about industry changes to keep ahead of the curve.
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As an organisation, one approach is a future of work strategy which focuses on adapting to changes in how, when, and where work is carried out, who performs the work, and what is considered work. These changes can be driven internally by the organisation or externally by factors such as emerging technology, shifts in the sector, and demographic trends. According to Emily Rose McRae, Gartner Senior Director Analyst, these trends can pose significant risks to an organisation’s operations, workforce, and business model. As changes occur more rapidly, a future of work strategy must be a living document, constantly evolving to keep pace.
As individuals, how can we remain flexible and proactive when the pace of change accelerates and forces us to rethink how we work? As an organisation, how else can we stay informed and ahead of the curve in the face of ongoing external changes? Read more on this trend: |
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| How AI is being used to prevent devastating wildfires |
Extreme wildfires are sporadic yet significant events in fire-prone landscapes worldwide, with profound ecological, economic, and social impacts. While average fire intensity has generally decreased globally this century (with some regional increases), burn severity – which measures a fire’s immediate effects, such as biomass loss and mortality – has been rising in more regions than it has been declining. This has brought about a growing focus on developing technologies aimed at mitigating the impact of such events.
So, how can technology help? Australian scientists are advancing bushfire detection with cube satellites that use onboard AI to spot fires from space 500 times faster than traditional methods. These smaller, cost-effective satellites process hyperspectral imagery onboard, saving valuable time and energy before sending data to Earth. This breakthrough allows for earlier detection of fires, even before they generate heat, enabling quicker responses to prevent loss of life and property.
A project led by University of South Australia and funded by SmartSat CRC developed an energy-efficient fire smoke detection system for South Australia’s first cube satellite, Kanyini, which uses AI to detect smoke far faster than traditional techniques. How can we leverage these technological advancements to enhance our preparedness and response to natural disasters? How can we collaborate across sectors to ensure that technology is used effectively in safeguarding lives and health in the face of climate related events? Read more on this trend: |
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The Future Health Podcast features thought-provoking discussions with subject matter experts and thought leaders about current and emerging trends in healthcare and the future of work for the NSW Health workforce and beyond.
In Series 6 of the Future Health Podcast, we shine a spotlight on the Change Makers driving progress and redefining the Australian healthcare landscape. Our host, Dr Louise Messara is joined by a line-up of innovators, visionaries, and disruptors who are shaping the future of healthcare.
Join us as we uncover how these change makers are navigating uncertainty, leveraging emerging trends, and breaking new ground to enhance healthcare for all. From leadership strategies and generational shifts to climate impacts and technological marvels, this season is a journey through the dynamic intersection of innovation and care. Don't forget to subscribe to the Future Health podcast so you don't miss a thing: |
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While every effort is taken to validate the currency and accuracy of the content presented in the newsletter, NSW Health does not make any representations and warranties with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained herein. The content is represented as information only and readers should undertake their own research and enquires with respect to the specific details and information contained in this newsletter. |
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